PureInsight | June 3, 2002
The theory of main and collateral channels is a vital part of Chinese traditional medicine. Thousands of years of clinical application have proven the existence and effect of the energy channel system. In addition, energy channel systems have been found not just in human bodies but also in animals. Is it fair to say that plants also have this system? It sounds inconceivable. Nonetheless, modern science has found that plants do have main and collateral channels just as humans and animals do.
The scientific research on the energy channel system has found some unique features on the skin where energy channels or acupuncture points are located. There is a relationship between these locations and high voltage, low resistance, autoluminescence, auto sound production, and relatively high temperature.
The scientists in Xinjiang Institute of Forestry carried out research on the energy channel systems in plants in collaboration with the Xinjiang University Institute of Physics and the University of Minnesota. They investigated several plants, including soybean plants, and found that the voltage in the main vein and in the small vein is 4-7 times higher than that of the mesophyll while the resistance is 2-3 times lower. Similarly, the voltage of the main leaf cushion and the leaf cushion are 7-fold higher than that of the branches and stem, while the resistance is 1-1.5 times lower. Studies on separated leaves show that the voltages in the main vein and in the small vein are not higher than that of the mesophyll but its resistance is still 2-3 times higher. These observations are consistent with the results from the studies on separated limbs of dead humans or animal bodies.
These studies suggest that plants have main and collateral channel systems similar to those of human and animals. The main vein, small vein, main leaf cushion and leaf cushion are very likely the energy channel systems of plant. Stimulating the leaf cushion (or sprout point) with a needle can cause a reduction of resistance by 26% in the main vein while only a 4.5% reduction is noted in the mesophyll. This is also consistent with the results from human and animal bodies. Stimulating the leaf cushion can result in a temperature increase by 0.59º C in the main vein and 0.50º C in the mesophyll. Experiments on the human body have proved that stimulating the acupuncture points results in a temperature increase on the skin and that the temperature increase is higher in the skin of the channel area than elsewhere.
Acoustic studies have found that plants can produce low frequency sound waves. When applying acupuncture on a plant, scientists have found that the sound generated in the main vein increases 30-50 decibels, while in mesophyll the increase is only 20 decibels. This is very similar to the acoustic feature of the energy channel systems of the human body. Scientists also found that when under stress (such as lack of water), the sound produced by plants (leaves) increased by 20 decibels. But the sound goes down to the normal level only 6 minutes after supplying the plant with water. As we know, it is not possible for the plant to deliver the water from the roots to the leaves in that short a time. So researchers proposed that plant must have an unknown regulation system for passing the message to the whole body.
Acupuncture can adjust the functions of human body, including dredging the energy channels, adjusting qi and blood. Similarly, scientists found acupuncture can improve the growth of a plant. Compared to control plants, plants after acupuncture blossom three days earlier, bear more fruit, and the fruit has a higher net weight.
In modern science, the study and understanding of energy channels is still at the preliminary level. Some argue that it belongs to nervous system, some believe it is part of lymphatic or blood vessel system. There is no conclusion so far. If plants also have energy channel system, can we start our research on energy channels at the common structures shared by human bodies and plants?
Modern science already found that plants have sense and memory, and they can even think and have sensory responses like animals do. Now people have found that plants also have energy channels. It is time for human beings to think about our understanding of living beings again.
References
1. Expeimental Evidence of A Plant Meridian System: I. Bioelctricity and Acupuncture Effects on Electrical Resistance of the Soybean. TZ.Hou, M. Dawitof, JY Wang, and MD. Li. American Journal of Chinese Medicine Vol.XXII, No.1, pp.1-9, 1994
2. Expeimental Evidence of A Plant Meridian System: II. The Effects of Needle Acupunture on the Temperature Changes of Soybean. TZ.Hou, ZW. Re, B.Hu, and MD. Li. American Journal of Chinese Medicine Vol.XXII, No.2, pp.103-109, 1994
3. Expeimental Evidence of A Plant Meridian System: III. The Sound Characteristics of Phylodendron (Alocasia) and Effects of Acupunture on Those Properties. TZ.Hou,
JY Luan, JY Wang and MD Li. American Journal of Chinese Medicine Vol.XXII, No.3-4, pp.205-214, 1994
4. Expeimental Evidence of A Plant Meridian System: IV. The Effects of Acupunture on Growth and Metabolism of Phaselus vulgaris L.Beans. TZ.Hou and MD.Li. American Journal of Chinese Medicine Vol.XXV, No.2, pp.135-142, 1997
5.Expeimental Evidence of A Plant Meridian System: V. Acupunture Effect on Circumnutation Movements of Shoots of Phaselus vulgaris L.Pole Bean. American Journal of Chinese Medicine Vol.XXV, No.3-4, pp.253-261, 1997
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